Grooved firearm chamber

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments, a firearm assembly devices, systems and methods are provided. The firearm assembly can comprise a barrel and a chamber comprising a channel. The chamber may have a first length. The chamber may comprise an internal wall defining an internal cavity. The chamber can also couple to the barrel. The channel can be defined in the internal wall of the chamber. The channel may have a second length that is shorter than the first length. In various embodiments, the firearm assembly may be a component of a rotating bolt firearm. In various embodiments, internal cavity of the firearm assembly has a profile configured to receive a cartridge. The devices systems and methods described herein reduce common rotating bolt firearm failure modes by encouraging case ejection, compression, and/or contraction.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for extraction of cartridge cases from firearms chambers. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a firearm chamber comprising channels and associated systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Common failure modes associated with rotating bolt firearms include for example, failure to extract failures and blown primer failures. Failure to extract failures occur when a cartridge is activated (e.g., fired) and the bullet travels through and out the muzzle of the barrel, but the cartridge case fails to eject from the firearm chamber. Blown primer failures occur when the primer is struck and activated, but the powder contained in the cartridge case is not ignited. In this way, the bullet is not fired, but the chamber is rendered inoperative until the action of the firearm is cycled or cleared to remove the cartridge. This disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods that improve the reliability of firearms by minimizing these and other failure modes, increasing reliability of the firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, a firearm assembly is provided. The firearm assembly can comprise a barrel and a chamber comprising a channel. The chamber has a first length. The chamber may comprise an internal wall defining an internal cavity. The chamber can also couple to the barrel. The channel can be defined in the internal wall of the chamber. The channel may have a second length that can be shorter than the first length. In various embodiments, the firearm assembly may be a component of a rotating bolt firearm. In various embodiments, the internal cavity of the firearm assembly has a profile configured to receive a cartridge.

In various embodiments, a firearm can be configured to activate (e.g., fire) a cartridge comprising a case and a bullet. The firearm may comprise an upper receiver and a barrel. The barrel may detachably couple to the upper receiver. The barrel may also comprise a chamber portion. The chamber portion can be configured to slidably receive the cartridge. The chamber portion can comprise a first groove defined in a wall of the chamber portion. The first groove may be in fluid communication with the barrel. The chamber portion may also comprise a second grove defined in a wall of the chamber portion. Similarly, the second groove may be in fluid communication with the barrel. In response to the cartridge being activated, the first groove and the second groove can be configured to direct gas from at least one of the barrel and the chamber portion to create a force (e.g., pressure) on the case.

In various embodiments, the case may comprise a neck, a shoulder and a body, and the force can be applied to at least one of the neck, the shoulder and the body. In various embodiments, the case may comprise a body and the force can be applied to the body.

In various embodiments, the first groove and the second groove are defined along a diameter of the chamber portion. The first groove may be substantially parallel to the second groove.

In various embodiments, the force may be applied to the case tangentially.

In various embodiments, a centerline of the barrel can be defined along a center of a diameter of the barrel. In these embodiments, a first component of the force may be applied to the case in a direction substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel and a second component of the force may be applied in a direction substantially parallel to the centerline of the barrel.

In various embodiments, as barrel is provided. The barrel can comprise barrel portion and a chamber portion. The chamber portion may be coupled to the barrel portion. The chamber portion may be configured to operatively receive a cartridge. The chamber portion may also comprise a first channel and a second channel. The first channel and the second may be in fluid communication with at least one of a first volume defined by the chamber portion and a second volume defined by a portion of the barrel portion. In response to activating the cartridge, at least one of the first channel and/or the second channel may be configured to conduct a gas pressure from at least one of the first volume and the second volume to an exterior surface of the cartridge.

In various embodiments, the chamber portion may comprise a third channel and a fourth channel. The third channel and/or the fourth channel may be in fluid communication with at least one of the first volume and the second volume.

In various embodiments, the first channel, the second channel, the third channel and the fourth channel may be spaced equidistantly around a diameter defined by the chamber portion.

In various embodiments, the length of the first channel can be substantially equal to the length of the second channel. The length of the first channel may be shorter than the length of the chamber portion.

In various embodiments, a rotating bolt firearm is provided. The rotating bolt firearm may comprise a gas operating system, a bolt, and a barrel. The barrel may comprise a chamber or a chamber portion. The bolt may be rotatably moveable between a first position and a second position. The chamber portion of the barrel may be configured to receive the bolt. The chamber portion may comprise a first channel. The volume defined by the barrel may be in fluid communication with the gas operating system and a first channel defined in the chamber portion. The pressure created by activating a cartridge in the rotating bolt firearm can cause gas to pressurize an outer surface of a cartridge via the first channel, during a time period between the activation of the cartridge and the pressure actuating the gas operating system.

In various embodiments, the first channel can be defined in an interior surface of the chamber portion.

In various embodiments, the chamber portion may comprise a second channel.

In various embodiments, actuating the gas operating system can cause the bolt to rotate from the first position to the second position. Moreover, actuating the gas operating system can cause the cartridge to eject from the chamber portion.

In various embodiments, the gas can create a force (e.g., a pressure) that can be exerted on the outer surface of the cartridge.

In various embodiments, the devices, systems and methods described herein improve the reliability and functionality of various firearm components (e.g., extractors, barrels, chambers, and or the like). These devices, systems and methods also reduce operation failures. Moreover, these devices, systems and methods maintain accuracy and functionality of rotating bolt firearms.

In various embodiments, the devices, systems and methods described herein encourage the ejection, compression, and/or contraction of the cartridge case in response to firing a cartridge from a rotating bolt firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of elements of a rotating bolt firearm in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various chamber portions of a firearm comprising a channel in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2D illustrates a cartridge case in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a firearm comprising a chamber including one or more channels at various stages of operation in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate exemplary chamber profiles in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

In various embodiments, a firearm chamber comprising one or more channels is provided. The chamber may be integrally formed in or couple to the barrel. The chamber may also be a portion of a larger barrel assembly (e.g., a barrel extension). The chamber can be implemented or used with any suitable firearm including, for example, an automatic firearm, a semi-automatic firearm, a bolt action firearm, and or the like. The firearm may include any suitable action including, for example, a rotating bolt action (e.g. the action of an AR-15 style rifle), a falling block, a rolling block, or any other suitable action. Similarly, the chamber can be used in a rotating bolt firearm with any suitable actuation system including for example, a gas piston system, a gas impingement system, a manual actuation system, and/or the like.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 1, a firearm 100 can comprise a barrel 120 and a chamber 125. Chamber 125 can comprise one or more channels 126. Channel 126 may be any suitable passage, groove, flute, gap, or other suitable channel defined in the inner diameter of chamber 125. Chamber 125 is configured to operatively receive a cartridge of ammunition. In operation and in response to the firearm being fired, the cartridge is activated causing the case to be retained in the chamber (at least momentarily) and the bullet to travel through barrel 120.

In various embodiments. Channel 126 may also be in fluid communication with a portion of the volume defined by chamber 125 and/or barrel 120. The volume defined by channel 126 pressurizes with gas from an activated cartridge. The pressure can be directed by channel 126 to an exterior surface on the case of the cartridge. The pressure creates force on the case (e.g., the outer surface of the case) that encourages ejection, contraction, and/or compression of the case. When the cartridge is activated, the case expands in response to powder ignition and the bullet being shot from the mouth of the case. The expansion is intended to be elastic. The elastic properties of the case allow the case to retract after activation before the case is ejected from chamber 125. However, cartridges can plastically deform or otherwise become jammed in the chamber causing failure to extract failures (e.g., the case remains in the chamber and will not extract). Failure to extract failure may occur for various reasons, including, for example, cartridges loaded with extra powder (e.g., “hot loads”) to provide greater ballistic performance, case fatigue, case imperfections, debris in the chamber, and/or the like. The devices, systems and methods described herein minimize these failures by encouraging ejection, contraction, and/or compression of the case.

In various embodiments, barrel 120 and/or chamber 125 can couple or attach to various other components, including for example a receiver (e.g., an upper receiver), a stock, a handguard, or any other suitable component or accessory.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D, barrel 220 comprises a chamber 225. Chamber 225 comprises channel 226. Barrel 220 and chamber 225 may be a single piece (e.g., a barrel comprising a barrel portion and a chamber portion) or an assembly. Barrel 220 can define a cylindrical cavity having a diameter (e.g., an internal diameter or ID). The diameter may be any suitable size. Barrel 220 may also be any suitable length. Chamber 225 can also define a cylindrical cavity having a diameter (e.g., an internal diameter or ID). Chamber 225 may, also be any suitable length. Channel 226 may be any suitable channel or groove defined in the interior wall of chamber 225 (e.g., the wall defining the interior cavity of chamber 225). Channel 226 may be any suitable length that is shorter than the length of chamber 225. Channel 226 may also be any suitable depth, size (e.g., volume), and/or shape.

In various embodiments, a firearm comprising barrel 220, chamber 225, and channel 226 may be any rotating bolt firearm, including for example, an automatic or semi-automatic rifle (e.g., an AR-15/M-16 style rifle) chambered in any appropriate caliber (e.g., .223 Remington/.556 Nato, .308 Winchester/7.62x51 Nato, and the like). In this example, and with specific reference to FIG. 2D, the cartridge may comprise a neck portion 221, a shoulder portion 222, and a body portion 223. Chamber 225 may have an appropriate internal contour or profile to accept each of neck portion 221, shoulder portion 222, and body portion 223 to position the cartridge for activation, as shown in, for example, Section A-A of FIG. 2A. Moreover, channel 226 may be appropriately formed in the internal wall of the chamber (e.g., the wall that defines the internal profile of the chamber) at an appropriate length to pressurize an exterior surface associated with one or more of the surfaces associated with neck portion 221, shoulder portion 222, and body portion 223.

For example and as shown in FIG. 2A, Section A-A, channel 226 may be defined at such a length that the gas from an activated cartridge pressurizes and applies an associated force to the exterior surface associated with neck portion 221. However, channel 226 may be any suitable length shorter than the length of the chamber. In this way, channel 226 may pressurize and apply an associated force to any portion of the exterior surface of the cartridge (e.g., neck portion 221, shoulder portion 222, and/or body portion 223).

In another example, the case of a cartridge may have a generally uniform profile (e.g., a 9 mm, .45-70 Government, and the like). In this example, the case comprises a body portion, but no neck or shoulder portion. As such, a chamber appropriately sized for a case having a generally uniform profile may comprise channel 226 that is shorter than chamber 225 and that conducts pressure and an associated force to the body portion of the case.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, firearm 300 comprises a barrel 320 and a chamber 325 comprising one or more channels 326. As described herein, barrel 320 and chamber 325 may be adaptable to any rotating bolt firearm now known or hereinafter developed. However, by way of example, firearm 300 is depicted in FIGS. 3A-3D as a gas piton operated AR-15/M-16 style rifle capable of shooting any suitable caliber cartridge. As such, in this example, firearm 300 may also comprise various other components including, for example, an upper receiver 310, a handguard 330, a lower receiver 340, a stock 350, an operating system 360, a magazine 370 and/or the like.

In various embodiments and by way of example, firearm 300 may be loaded with cartridge 301, as shown in FIG. 3A. More specifically, cartridge 301 can be advanced from magazine 370 by a bolt carrier assembly 311 (carried in, for example, upper receiver 310) into chamber 325. Cartridge 301 may be activated in response to providing an input to a trigger 341 (housed in, for example, lower receiver 340). The input to trigger 341 actuates a firing mechanism (e.g., a sear and firing pin) that activates cartridge 301, firing or propelling bullet 3018 from case 301A, as shown in FIG. 3B. The activation of cartridge 301 may also cause an increase in pressure in a portion of the volume defined by chamber 325, the volume defined by the channel 326, and/or the volume defined by barrel 320 (e.g., the volume near the breach end of the barrel).

In various embodiments, the pressure increase can be conducted through one or more channels 326. This pressure can be applied to the outer surface of case 301A. The pressure applies an associated force to the outer surface of case 301A. The force may be directed based on the shape of channel 326 and/or the outer profile of case 301A. For example, in the present example, the case comprises a neck portion, a shoulder portion and a body portion. Channel 326 may be shaped such that a pressure is applied to one or more of the neck portion, shoulder portion and body portion.

For example, and with momentary reference to FIG. 2A. Section A-A and FIG. 2D, channel 226 may be of any suitable length to conduct pressure from an activated cartridge to the neck of the case. The pressure applied to neck 221 may cause a force (e.g., perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel) and a force generally parallel to the centerline of the barrel (e.g., toward the stock of the gun) to be applied to the outer surface of the neck.

With momentary reference to FIG. 2B, Section N-N and FIG. 2D, channel 226 may be of any suitable length to conduct pressure from an activated cartridge to neck 221 and shoulder 222 of the case. The pressure applied to neck 221 and shoulder 222 may comprise a force (e.g., perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel) and a force (e.g., parallel to the centerline of the barrel) to be applied to the outer surface of neck 221 and shoulder 222. This force may be applied based on the shape of shoulder 222 and/or channel 226.

With momentary reference to FIG. 2C, Section R-R and FIG. 2D, channel 226 may be of any suitable length to conduct pressure from an activated cartridge to neck 221, shoulder 222, and body 223 of the case. The pressure applied to neck 221, shoulder 222, and body 223 may comprise a force (e.g., perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel) and a force (e.g., parallel to the centerline of the barrel) to be applied to the outer surface of neck 221, shoulder 222 and body 223.

In various embodiments, the cartridge may have a generally uniform body profile. Where the cartridge has a generally uniform profile as discussed above, pressure would be applied to the body causing a compressive force (e.g., perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel) and a force (e.g., parallel to the centerline of the barrel) to be applied to the outer surface of the body.

By way of continuing example and with reference to FIG. 3C, bullet 301B travels from the breach end of barrel 320 to the muzzle end of barrel 320. In response to the bullet passing an inlet of operating system 360, operating system 360 is pressurized and actuated. In response to operating system 360 actuating, an op-rod 361 strikes bolt carrier assembly 311 causing the bolt to rotate and unlock from chamber 325. In response to the bolt unlocking from chamber 325, the bolt carrier assembly 311 is pushed by operating system 360 toward the butt of firearm 300, reducing the pressure in chamber 325 and barrel 320. Case 301A is pulled from chamber 325 by an extractor of bolt carrier assembly 311, as bolt carrier assembly 311 is pushed by operating system 360. With reference to FIG. 3D, as bullet 301B passes through the muzzle end of barrel 320 and into the atmosphere, the pressure in chamber 325 and barrel 320 are also exhausted to the atmosphere. Case 301A is ejected from upper receiver 310 as bolt carrier assembly 311 cycles.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 4A-4G, as discussed herein, chamber 425 may comprise or otherwise define one or more channels 426. Channel 426 may be of any suitable shape, size, depth, width, and/or length. For example, channel 426 may have a profile of any suitable shape including for example, a triangular, circular, rectangular, uniform, and/or non-uniform profile. Moreover, a chamber 425 may comprise a first channel 426 having a first volume and a second channel 426 having a second volume. In various embodiments, the volume of first channel 426 may be equal to, greater than, or less than the volume of second channel 426.

In various embodiments, the one or more channels 426 may be defined at any suitable location in the interior wall of chamber 425 defining the inner diameter of chamber 425. Channel 426 may be configured to exert a pressure on the case of a cartridge.

In various embodiments, chamber 425 may comprise two or more channels 426. Two or more channels 426 may be configured to provide a uniform pressure on the outer surface of a case of a cartridge. For example, two or more channels 426 may be positioned in chamber 425 substantially equidistantly around of the inner diameter of the chamber, as shown in FIGS. 4B-4D. Two or more channels 426 may also be positioned in chamber such that the pressure directed by the two or more channels 426 are applied uniformly to the outer surface of the case, but channels 426 are not spaced equidistantly from one another, as shown in FIG. 4E.

In various embodiments, chamber 425 may comprise one or more channels 426. One or more channels 426 may be configured to provide a non-uniform pressure on the outer surface of a case. For example, chamber 425 may comprise one channel 426 defined in the chamber wall at any point along the diameter (e.g., the internal diameter or chamber wall) of chamber 425, as shown in FIG. 4A. Chamber 425 may comprise two or more channels 426 defined in the chamber wall at various points along the diameter of chamber 425 that are not equidistant, as shown in FIG. 4F.

With reference to FIG. 40, chamber 425 may comprise one or more channels 426A and one or more channels 426B. Channel 426A and/or channel 426B may be various sizes, lengths, volumes, widths, shapes and/or the like. Channel 426A and/or channel 426B may be configured to provide a uniform pressure or a non-uniform pressure to the outer surface of the case. For example, one or more channels 426A may have a volume or may be appropriately sized to conduct a force from a pressure that is equal to the force or pressure conducted by one or more channels 426B. One or more channels 426A may also have a volume or may be appropriately sized to conduct a force from a pressure that is not equal to the three or pressure conducted by one or more channels 426B. In this way, one or more channels 426A and one or more channels 426B may be arranged is any suitable configuration to aid in the extraction of a case from chamber 425.

In various embodiments, the channels defined in the chamber may be configured to reduce the overall outward force applied and/or pressure applied to the interior surface of the case in response to a cartridge being activated. More specifically, the channels may be configured to apply a pressure to the outer surface of the case (when the cartridge is activated) to reduce or counteract the pressure applied to the internal volume of the cartridge. This external pressure may counteract any pressure or equivalent force created by the activation of the cartridge

Thus, the chamber described herein provides a mechanism to minimize operational failures of a rotating bolt firearm.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the inventions. The scope of the inventions is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any, combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm configured to fire a cartridge comprising a case and a bullet, comprising: an upper receiver, a barrel detachably coupled to the upper receiver, the barrel comprising a chamber portion, the chamber configured to operatively receive the cartridge; the chamber portion comprising a first groove defined in the chamber portion and in fluid communication with the barrel and a second grove defined in the chamber portion in fluid communication with the barrel, wherein the first groove and the second groove are configured to direct gas from the barrel into the chamber portion create a force on an exterior surface of the case in response to the cartridge being activated.
 2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a shoulder and wherein the force is applied to the shoulder.
 3. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are defined in a wall defining a diameter of the chamber portion.
 4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein a centerline of the barrel is defined along a center of a diameter of the barrel.
 5. The firearm of claim 4, wherein a first component of the force is applied to the case in a direction substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel and a second component of the force is applied in a direction substantially parallel to the centerline of the barrel.
 6. A rotating bolt firearm, comprising: a gas operating system, a bolt rotatably moveable between a first position and a second position; a barrel comprising a chamber portion configured to receive the bolt, the chamber portion comprising a first channel; a volume defined by the barrel in fluid communication with the gas operating system and the first channel, wherein pressure from an activation of a cartridge causes gas to pressurize an outer surface of a cartridge via the first channel, during a time period between the activation of the cartridge and the pressure actuating the gas operating system.
 7. The rotating bolt firearm of claim 6, wherein the first channel is defined in an interior surface of the chamber portion.
 8. The rotating bolt firearm of claim 6, wherein the chamber portion further comprises a second channel.
 9. The rotating bolt firearm of claim 6, wherein the actuating the gas operating system causes the bolt to rotate from the first position to the second position.
 10. The rotating bolt firearm of claim 6, wherein the actuating the gas operating system causes the cartridge to eject from the chamber portion.
 11. The rotating bolt firearm of claim 6, wherein the gas creates a three that is exerting on the outer surface of the cartridge.
 12. A firearm assembly, comprising: a barrel; a chamber comprising an internal wall defining an internal cavity and coupled to the barrel, that chamber having a first length; and a first channel defined in the internal wall of the chamber and having a second length that is shorter than the first length.
 13. The firearm assembly of claim 12, wherein the firearm assembly is a component of a rotating bolt firearm.
 14. The firearm assembly of claim 12, wherein the internal cavity comprises a profile configured to receive a cartridge.
 15. The firearm assembly of claim 12, wherein the channel is connected to the barrel.
 16. The firearm assembly of claim 12, wherein the channel is in fluid communication with at least one of the barrel and the chamber.
 17. The firearm of assembly of claim 12, wherein the channel has at least one of a generally circular profile, a generally square profile, a generally triangular profile, and a generally rectangular profile.
 18. The firearm assembly of claim 12, wherein the chamber comprises a second channel.
 19. The firearm assembly of claim 18, wherein the second channel is substantially identical and equidistantly spaced from the first channel.
 20. The firearm assembly of claim 18, wherein the second channel is not substantially identical and not equidistantly spaced from the first channel. 